Bob Thurman Podcast: Buddhas Have More Fun!

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the modern relevance of the Buddha’s Enlightenment, the key place of wisdom in choosing meditation practices and the centrality of understanding emptiness as the logical gateway to selflessness, compassion & generosity. Using The Padmakara Group’s Translation of Shantideva’s ‘Way of the Bodhisattva‘ Fourth & Fifth Chapters on Generosity and Justice Transcendences Robert AF Thurman leads an examination of the basic concepts underlying the Buddhist understanding of justice, patience & generosity. “According to legend, when Shantideva was a student at Nalanda, he was not well liked. The officials and students thought he was lazy and no-good. All he did was sleep and eat and use the toilet (later revealed to be Shantideva’s “three Perfections”), while everyone else was busy studying and practicing. In fact, they wanted to kick him out. However, they decided that Shantideva should at least give one teaching before they expelled him. So one day they came up and demanded that he give a teaching, and Shantideva had never given one before so he was hesitant, but eventually he said okay, let’s do it. They gathered a large group of monks together and erected a very high throne for Shantideva to sit in. They actually planned to embarrass Shantideva because they figured that he wouldn’t know how to get up into the throne. But when Shantideva merely touched the throne, it shrank to normal size. He sat down and they requested he present a teaching that had never been given by anyone before. Shantideva then recited the Bodhicharyavatara or “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.” The legend has it that when he got to the 34th verse of the ninth chapter he rose into the sky and finished the rest of the teaching from atop a cloud.” Robert A.F. Thurman via SF Zen Center   This podcast is an excerpt from the March 15, 2017 HH Dalai Lama’s A Force for Good: Buddhist Science Sources for Practices Beyond Religion Talk ‘Generosity and Justice Transcendences’ by Robert A.F. Thurman recorded at Tibet House US in New York City. To watch the full recordings from this + other past events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. Learn about joining the Tibet House US Membership Community with a monthly tax-deductible donation by visiting: www.tibethouse.us. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind & Life Institute science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of A

In this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the historical Buddha as an Inner Scientist applying the scientific method of inquiry in his exploration of inner & outer realities of the self and the world. Includes a guided selflessness meditation, an explanation of the concept of voidness and an in depth introduction to the Buddhist Inner Sciences. “It is not merely an impersonal biological process of atoms and molecules and cells. He saw that living beings do evolve— progress and regress— in a more than strictly physical sense . He taught that we are not merely passive inheritors of genetic codes. We also personally and intentionally evolve ourselves toward higher states of awareness and happiness, or deteriorate ourselves toward lesser awareness and more wretched embodiments. We do so not just in this life, or in a few lives, but over the course of billions of lives, just as it takes billions of lives for a paramecium to become a butterfly.” Robert A.F. Thurman Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash This podcast was recorded at the 2016 Science and Nonduality (SAND) Conference. To watch more recordings by Robert AF Thurman from past Science and Nonduality Events please visit their website: www.scienceandnonduality.com. Science and Nonduality (SAND) is a not-for-profit organization which presents annual conferences which aims at fostering a new relationship to spirituality, free from religious dogma, based on timeless wisdom traditions, informed by cutting-edge science, and grounded in direct experience. At Science and Nonduality, preeminent scientists, philosophers, mystics and artists gather to explore and advance the new paradigm emerging in spirituality that is both grounded in cutting-edge science and consistent with the ancient wisdom of nonduality–the deep understanding of the interconnectedness of life. To learn more about the work of Science and Nonduality (SAND) please visit their website: https://www.scienceandnonduality.com or attend one of their annual conferences in person or online via their community live-stream broadcasts. This podcast is apart of the Buddhist Inner Sciences 101 Podcast Series taken from the Bob Thurman & Tibet House US archives which are intended to provide an introduction to the yogic, meditative & theoretical practices of the tradition. These recordings are intended to be general overviews & one should be studying with a qualified teacher before attempting or engaging in the practices.

In this special podcast Professor Thurman is joined by Krishna Das, long time friend & co-teacher for an intimate dialog covering their shared histories, meeting their teachers, non-dualism, love and the interplay between Hinduism & Buddhism. Includes humorous stories by Krishna Das + Bob Thurman about Khunu Lama, Kalu Rinpoche, the 16th Karmapa, the Dalai Lama, Allan Ginsberg, Ram Das & Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji).   To learn more about the work + music of Krishna Das please visit: www.krishnadas.com. “It’s a long way from Mickey Mouse to Ram.” Krishna Das This talk was recorded during the Final #ForceForGood Class at Tibet House US in New York City in 2016 with Krishna Das & Robert AF Thurman & is apart of the THUS Member Archive. To watch the full recordings from this + other past events please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. Learn about joining the Tibet House US Membership Community with a monthly tax-deductible donation by visiting: www.tibethouse.us. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind & Life Institute science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama) & along with his emphasis on positive activism (A New Reality: Charter of Universal Responsibility). This on-going series was inspired by Daniel Goleman’s ‘A Force For Good: The Dalai Lama’s Vision for Our World‘. Ganesha Photo by Ajeet Mestry on Unsplash

In this podcast Professor Thurman is joined by Foundation of the Sacred Stream’s Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. in exploring the symbolism used in traditional Buddhist Tara visualizations & in shamanistic practices. Includes a discussion of the use of sound, light, movement & dreams in rituals, an explanation of the practice of working with the unconscious and a short overview of the indigenous Bön tradition found in Tibet before the wide spread adoption Buddhism. Concludes with an introduction to the practice of Tibetan Dream Yoga & dialog with retreat participants. © Green Tara Photo by Sam Scoggins via www.flickr.com. This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from Robert Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. This recording is an except from the Tibet House US Retreat “Shamans & Siddhas: Meeting at the Crossroads of Shamanism & Tantrism” with Robert Thurman, Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. recorded at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York October 2016. Full video recordings of this program are apart of the Tibet House US Member Archive. To listen to more recordings from this & other past programs please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member. To learn more about the work of Isa Gucciardi & Robert Thurman and their annual Menla Retreat programs please visit www.menla.us +  www.sacredstream.org. About Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D. Isa Gucciardi, Ph.D., holds degrees and certificates in trans-personal psychology, cultural and linguistic anthropology, comparative religion, hypnotherapy, and transformational healing. She has spent over 30 years studying spiritual, therapeutic, and meditative techniques from around the world. Isa is the creator of the ground-breaking therapeutic model, Depth Hypnosis, and the Founding Director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. Suggested Books by Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. Coming to Peace: Resolving Conflict Within Ourselves And With Others | Return to the Great Mother Connect with Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. Website | Twitter | Face

Using Marilyn Waring’s book The Labor of Women: Counting For Nothing as a starting point, in this podcast Professor Thurman discusses the history of Labor Day, the need for a deeper appreciation of the role of women in society and how Feminists and their supporters can support the on-going efforts begun at the Washington DC Women’s March. Includes a deconstruction of the Radical Right’s branding of themselves as Conservatives in the Republican Party, a call to action for a re-defining of the role of the American Vice-President & personal reflections on The Pussy Hat Project. This podcast is a part of the on-going series ‘American Buddhism’ exploring current events from a modern Buddhist Centralist perspective with Professor Robert AF Thurman. Special thanks to this week’s podcast sponsor Sacred Stream Foundation. To learn more about their work & their ‘Man Of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of Tibet’s Dalai Lama’ Graphic Novel West Coast book tour with Robert Thurman this September please visit: www.sacredstream.org. To watch + listen to more recordings of past events with Robert AF Thurman please consider becoming a Tibet House US member. Learn about joining the Tibet House US Membership Community with a monthly tax-deductible donation by visiting: www.tibethouse.us. Full Access starts at $2 a month. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.

In this podcast Professor Thurman is joined by long time friend Sharon Salzberg for an intimate conversation on Buddhism, Meditation & teaching together at Menla Retreat in Upstate New York. Includes a discussion of their book 'Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier ' and their personal perspectives on using the mindfulness & loving-kindess techniques presented in the Hay House publication. This podcast is a preview of a new upcoming series of monthly dialogs between Robert A.F. Thurman & the leading hearts, minds & characters bringing the ancient wisdom of Tibet into the modern mindful revolution. The Tibet House US (THUS) Conversations are produced through the generous support of it's membership community and are apart of the digital member archive made available as apart of becoming a monthly supporter. Sharon Salzberg is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974. Co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA & the author of eleven books including NY Times bestseller, "Real Happiness", her seminal work, "Lovingkindness" and her most recent release by Flatiron Books, "Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection." Renowned for her down-to-earth teaching style, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. She is a regular columnist for On Being, a contributor to Huffington Post, and the host of her own podcast: The Metta Hour. For more information please visit: www.sharonsalzberg.com. Photo of Robert A.F. Thurman & Sharon Salzberg at Tibet House US in New York City by Alan Steinfeld from their 2013 'Love Your Enemies' Video Interview via

In this extended podcast Professor Thurman begins with an explanation of the Four Noble Truths teaching & then details the systematic process of enlightenment as laid out by the historical Buddha known as the The Eightfold Path. The Eightfold path, breaks down into what’s known as the three educations. Of those three educations you have the ethical, the meditational & the intellectual: the wisdom education, all three. They all three have to work together. They’re like three corners of a tripod. If you try to put Buddhism on just one of those three it won’t work.. Robert AF Thurman This podcast is apart of the ‘Buddhism 101’ Series using classic teachings from Robert Thurman to elucidate basic concepts of the tradition. This an excerpted from the talk “Eight-fold Path” given by Robert AF Thurman at InsightLA in November 2013 in Los Angeles, California. To listen to the entire 3 Hour Talk please visit: www.insightla.org. Photo by 和 平 on Unsplash The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved. To listen to more recordings from past Robert AF Thurman programs please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member.

In this podcast Professor Robert AF Thurman discusses the classic British Sci-Fi Series ‘Dr. Who’ drawing parallels to the Buddhist text ‘The Vimalakirti Sutra’. Includes an in depth exploration of the Buddhist perspective of selflessness & non-dualism. This talk was recorded during the 2016 Force For Good Class #6 at Tibet House US in New York City in February 2016. ‘A Force For Good’ is a Tibet House US course to further the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind and Life science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story) & along with his emphasis on positive activism (A New Reality: Charter of Universal Responsibility). I think it is such a great sūtra, so beloved for thousands of years by millions of people, introducing them to Prajñāpāramitā sūtra teachings, Buddha-Avatamsaka sūtra teachings, Pure Land teachings, Jewel Heap sūtra collection teachings, and even, tangentially, to the esoteric teachings. I am delighted that more people around the world will get to meet Vimalakīrti and Mañjuśrī in dialogue. Robert AF Thurman on the release of the 8400 Online Edition of The Vimalakīrti Sūtra To read Professor Thurman’s translation online please visit: www.read.84000.co. Watch a video preview of this week’s Bob Thurman Podcast on the Tibet House US YouTube Channel: To watch the complete videos from past ‘Force for Good’ programs please visit the Tibet House US Member Archive, available to monthly supporters. To join the on-going #ForceForGood series please visit: www.tibethouse.us.

In this podcast Professor Thurman explains the Buddha’s enlightenment & the philosophical clarity that Je Tsongkhapa brought to the mind training systems disseminated through monastic & meditative traditions of Tibet. Includes an overview of British biologist Rupert Sheldrake’s Morphic resonance theory, the history of Tsongkhapa and the annual days cerebrating the founder of the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, his parinirvana & enlightenment. Episode concludes with a discussion on selflessness, power loss & Tibetan Buddhist meditative symbolism with Dr Nida Chenagtsang & Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. It is generally accepted that the three greatest contributors in the annals of Tibet were Guru Padmasambhava, Atisha and Tsongkhapa, all of whom appeared when a great teacher was needed. Today we should strive to emulate Tsongkhapa’s peerless progress along the path. To hear as many teachings as possible and never to be satisfied with less than ultimate knowledge as the most important lessons that can be applied in life. It is imperative to appreciate and work towards the peerless goal of wishing to achieve enlightenment in order to help every other sentient being do exactly the same. Je Rinpoche’s example of scriptural learning and meditative application taken as a unified path show the essence of Buddha’s intent and the truly quick method of achieving enlightenment.” Robert AF Thurman from Wisdom Academy. This is an except from the Tibet House US Retreat “Shamans & Siddhas: Meeting at the Crossroads of Shamanism & Tantrism with Robert Thurman, Isa Gucciardi Ph.D. & Dr Nida Chenagtsang, recorded at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York December 2015. To listen to more recordings from this & other past programs please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member. To learn more about the work of Isa Gucciardi & Robert Thurman join them in 2017 at Menla Retreat or visit: www.sacredstream.org.

In Buddhism, the most popular mandala is that of the Wheel of Life, a visual representation of the Six Realms of Existence. Traditionally the six realms into which a sentient being can reincarnate in its endless succession of lives. In this podcast Mark Epstein + Professor Thurman detail the Six Realms in Buddhist Cosmology and how to work with them as metaphors for the different psychological states of the human mind. Using Pali, Sanskrit & Tibetan sources Mark Epstein connects the ancient Buddhist mind training system with modern Psychology, Psychotherapy & Mental Health insights. Concludes with two guided meditations by Robert AF Thurman on selflessness & the three keys of self-analysis. Tibetan Wheel of Existence Photo © Manfred Sommer, All rights reserved. Recorded at the 2016 Tibet House US program “Addiction, Depression & Recovery” with Robert AF Thurman & Mark Epstein at Menla Retreat in Phoenicia, New York. “The Six Realms are the Human, Animal, Hell, Heaven, Hungry Ghost and Jealous God Realms. While some people take these realms literally, it is also possible to work with them metaphorically, as metaphors for the different states of mind through which we all pass in a given day. Hell realms are times of emotional torment; Heaven realms are times of happiness. Hungry Ghost realms are times of yearning or craving in which we feel like we can never be satisfied. The trick, from a Buddhist perspective, is to learn how to be in each realm without holding on and without pushing away, accepting things just as they are. This is best learned in the Human realm, where we have the intelligence and the will to attempt such things.” Mark Epstein M.D. To listen to more recordings from this & other past programs please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member. To learn more about the work of Mark Epstein M.D. join him & Bob at Menla in 2017 or please visit his website: www.markepsteinmd.com. The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.